Artistic Director’s Welcome
Welcome to Black Swan!
Originally brought to life as an Academy Award-nominated film, Black Swan has captivated audiences with its psychological intensity through director (and Harvard alum) Darren Aronofsky’s riveting reimagining of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake. In this world-premiere musical adaptation, we experience Nina’s journey—her relentless pursuit of the coveted lead role, and the mounting pressures that fracture her sense of self—come to life on stage in this new form. At its core, Black Swan is a deeply human exploration of artistic ambition and the cost of perfection.
An extraordinary team has come together to create this new musical. We are excited to welcome back as director and choreographer Tony Award winner Sonya Tayeh (Gatsby), whose groundbreaking artistry continues to redefine the possibilities of movement on stage and in musical theater. Obie Award winner Dave Malloy also returns to the A.R.T. (Moby-Dick, The Great Comet, and others) with a thrilling new score, and we welcome for the first time book writer and Guggenheim Fellow Jen Silverman.
Here at A.R.T., the engagement team collaborates with each creative team to develop an Essential Question to catalyze conversation among our community of artists, audiences, staff, and Lavine Learning Lab students. For Black Swan, we invite you to consider: How are the forces of creation and destruction linked in the pursuit of success?
Black Swan embodies our mission to expand the boundaries of theater. This stage adaptation takes full advantage of the power of live theater to create the visceral experience of a bold, new, dance-driven thriller.
Thank you for being a part of the A.R.T. and for joining us for our final show of the season! We look forward to welcoming you back later this summer for Rhinoceros, and next season.
Diane Paulus
Terrie and Bradley Bloom Artistic Director
American Repertory Theater
Terrie and Bradley Bloom Artistic Director:
Diane Paulus
presents
BLACK SWAN
Creative Team
Presented by special arrangement with Buena Vista Theatrical.
First performance at the Loeb Drama Center on May 26, 2026.
Production support of Black Swan is provided by Katie and Paul Buttenwieser, Linda and Winfield Perry, and by Choate, Hall & Stewart LLP.
Media Support of Black Swan is provided by WBUR.
A.R.T. Season support is provided by Harvard University, The Barr Foundation, The Bob and Alison Murchison New Work Development Fund, The Shubert Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, Massachusetts Cultural Council, Barton & Guestier, and Meyer Sound.
The A.R.T. 2025/26 Season is supported in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, which receives support from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Runtime: Approximately two hours and thirty minutes, including one twenty-minute intermission.
Due to the nature of the performance, re-entry will not be allowed.
This production depicts characters experiencing mental health crises (including thought disorders, manic episodes, and visual and auditory hallucinations) and physical violence. It contains intense strobe, flashing lights, haze, fog, and loud noises. Recommended for ages 16+.
Company & Staff
Cast
Swing
Alex Aquilino
Swing
Alex Aquilino
(he/him) A.R.T.: Debut. Broadway: MJ the Musical, Lempicka, Wicked, Anastasia, An American in Paris. Off-Broadway: Mack & Mabel, Me and My Girl, Hey! Look Me Over, New York City Center Encores!; The Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Tours: Flashdance the Musical. Film & TV: Anthropologie’s “Homeward Bound” campaign, JoJo’s “Ready to Love” music video; “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.” Education/Training: BFA, Ailey/Fordham.
Actors’ Equity Association member
“Prologue” Rothbart/Ajay/Ensemble, Understudy for Jacques/Rothbart
Kyle Brown
“Prologue” Rothbart/Ajay/Ensemble, Understudy for Jacques/Rothbart
Kyle Brown
A.R.T.: Debut. Broadway: Death Becomes Her (u/s Stefan, Chagall), Lempicka (u/s Tadeusz Lempicki), Moulin Rouge! The Musical, Anastasia (u/s Dmitry), An American in Paris (u/s Henri Baurel), Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Legally Blonde (Carlos, u/s Kyle/Dewey), The Devil Wears Prada. Tours: Wicked (u/s Fiyero). Developmental Work: Black Swan, Death Becomes Her, Lempicka, Moulin Rouge! The Musical, The Devil Wears Prada. TV: “Fosse/Verdon.”
Actors’ Equity Association member
Swing
Cameron Burke
Swing
Cameron Burke
A.R.T.: Gatsby. Broadway: The Outsiders, Moulin Rouge! The Musical. National Tour: Hamilton, Matilda The Musical, In the Heights. Regional: Chicago, NSMT; In The Heights, Geva Theatre, PCLO. TV: “Saturday Night Live.”
Lily
Jada Simone Clark
Lily
Jada Simone Clark
A.R.T.: Gatsby. Broadway: Moulin Rouge! The Musical, Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club (Helga). Tours: Jagged Little Pill, Moulin Rouge! The Musical. Regional: Rattlesnake Kate, Denver Center for the Performing Arts. Film & TV: Doja Cat’s performance, “VMAs”; “Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.” Education/Training: BFA in Commercial Dance, Pace University.
Actors’ Equity Association member
Swing
Mia DeWeese
Swing
Mia DeWeese
A.R.T.: Gatsby. Broadway: Moulin Rouge! The Musical, Romeo + Juliet. Off-Broadway: The Lucky Ones. Film & TV: “Rent: Live” (Ensemble), “The Gilded Age” (Principal Dancer). Dance: Freemove Dance’s ..it’s time..; Sonya Tayeh Dance’s You’ll Still Call Me by Name. Education/Training: Dance BFA, Marymount Manhattan College.
Actors’ Equity Association member
Glory/Ensemble, Understudy for Beth
Karli Dinardo
Glory/Ensemble, Understudy for Beth
Karli Dinardo
A.R.T.: Debut. Broadway: Hamilton, Bob Fosse’s Dancin’, Moulin Rouge! The Musical (Nini u/s). Off-Broadway: Revolution…, Minetta Lane. Tour: Hamilton (Peggy/Maria u/s), Flashdance The Musical (Alex). Regional: A Chorus Line (Cassie), Goodspeed; A Chorus Line (Cassie), The Rev; White Christmas (Judy), TUTS; West Side Story (Anita, Helpmann Nom), Carnegie Hall, Opera Australia & others, The Children of Eden (Aysha), David Geffen Hall; 42nd Street (Phyllis), ACCC. Film & TV: Kiss Of The Spider Woman, IF, Up Here, “75th-77th Annual Tony Awards”. CESD Agency.
Actors’ Equity Association member
Understudy for Barbara, LeRoy
Mehry Eslaminia
Understudy for Barbara, LeRoy
Mehry Eslaminia
A.R.T.: 1776. Broadway: 1776 (Thomson, Rutledge u/s). Off-Broadway: Here We Are (Claudia, Fritz, Marianne, Woman u/s), The Shed; Travels (Principle Storyteller), Ars Nova. Regional: English (Elham), Berkeley Repertory Theater; Twelfth Night (Viola), Denver Center Theatre; Hamlet (Horatio), Indianapolis Shakespeare Company; You Can’t Take It With You (Essie), Noises Off! (Poppy), Indiana Repertory; The Corpse Washer (Reem), Actors Theatre of Louisville. Workshop: We Live In Cairo (Layla).
Actors’ Equity Association member
Barbara
Kate Jennings Grant
Barbara
Kate Jennings Grant
(she/her/hers) A.R.T.: Debut. Broadway: Old Friends, Noises Off, The Country House, The Lyons, Guys and Dolls (Sarah Brown), Proof, An American Daughter. Off-Broadway: Mother of the Maid, The Marriage of Bette and Boo (Bette), The Beard of Avon. Regional: Much Ado About Nothing (Beatrice), Shakespeare Theatre. Film & TV: Love & Other Drugs, United 93, Frost/Nixon, When a Stranger Calls, Kinsey, “Elsbeth,” “Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin,” “Notorious,” “WeCrashed,” “Billions.” Education: Juilliard, University of Pennsylvania.
Ensemble
Gabriel Hyman
Ensemble
Gabriel Hyman
A.R.T.: Gatsby. Broadway: Hell’s Kitchen, Bob Fosse’s Dancin’ (Chita Rivera Award), King Kong (Chita Rivera and Outer Critics Circle Award). National Tour: Hamilton (Charles Lee). Opera: Fire Shut Up in My Bones, X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X, The Metropolitan Opera. TV: “The 76th Tony Awards;” The Weeknd’s performance, “Super Bowl LV Halftime Show;” “Pose,” FX; “Succession,” HBO; “The Gilded Age,” HBO. Former Ailey II dancer. Education: Dance BFA, The Ailey School/Fordham University Lincoln Center.
Actors’ Equity Association member
LeRoy
Amber Iman
LeRoy
Amber Iman
(she/her) A.R.T.: Debut. Broadway: Lempicka (Tony and Drama League nominations); Soul Doctor (Clive Barnes Award nomination); Shuffle Along. Off-Broadway: Tartuffe, Goddess (AUDELCO Award, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle nominations), The Ford/Hill Project, Rent. National Tours: Hamilton. Regional: Goddess, Berkeley Rep; Hippest Trip, ACT; Radio Golf, Two Rivers. Film & TV: Steve; Blackberry Winter; Forget Me Not; “High Maintenance,” HBO. Co-Founder: Broadway Advocacy Coalition (Tony Award); Black Women on Broadway. Education/Training: Howard University.
Actors’ Equity Association member
Ensemble
Charizma Lawrence
Ensemble
Charizma Lawrence
A.R.T.: Debut. Tour: Moulin Rouge!: The Musical. Regional: Legally Blonde, City Springs Theatre. Dance: Blue Nav, TL Collective; Melissa McCarthy Pride Parade, Los Angeles Jazz Company; Images of Life, Ballethnic Dance Company. Film & TV: Smurfs, “Wayne Brady: The Family Remix,” “NBC Premier League Fanfest.” Commercial: “Back to School,” Walmart; “Hilltop Project,” “Around the World,” The Coca-Cola Company. Other Recorded Media:“Steve Harvey,” B.o.B. Education: Dance BFA, USC Kaufman.
Actors’ Equity Association member
Ensemble
Adrian Lee
Ensemble
Adrian Lee
A.R.T.: Debut. Broadway: Wicked. Off-Broadway: Ain’t Done Bad, Signature Theatre. National Tour: An American in Paris. Opera: The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay, The Metropolitan Opera. Concerts: Shania Twain: Still the One, The Colosseum at Caesars Palace. Circus: IRIS, Cirque du Soleil, Dolby Theater. Film & TV: “Palm Royale,” Apple TV; “Up Here,” Hulu; “Fosse/Verdon,” FX; “The Tony Awards”; “Dancing with the Stars”; “MTV VMAs”; “Glee.” Faculty: Steps on Broadway. Agency: Bloc NYC.
Actors’ Equity Association member
Dylan/Ensemble
Caleb Marshall
Dylan/Ensemble
Caleb Marshall
A.R.T.: Evita (Ensemble). Broadway: Moulin Rouge! The Musical (Santiago Replacement). Regional: A Crossing (Dance Soloist), Barrington Stage; West Side Story (Bernardo), Nashville Symphony Orchestra; GYPSY (Tulsa), Fiddler on the Roof (Perchik), Studio Tenn; The Club Act (Dance Soloist), Midnight Theatre. Opera: La Traviata (Dancer), The Metropolitan Opera.
Actors’ Equity Association member
Swing, Understudy for Lily
Johanna Moise
Swing, Understudy for Lily
Johanna Moise
A.R.T.: Debut. Broadway: Death Becomes Her (Viola Van Horn understudy); Hamilton. Regional: La Cage Aux Folles, The Wiz. Workshops: Dreamgirls, PSYCHE, Sleepy Hollow. Film: Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, A Complete Unknown. Education: The Freeman Studio (Andrew Polk); Psychology BS, Florida International University.
Actors’ Equity Association member
Nina
Melanie Moore
Nina
Melanie Moore
A.R.T.: Finding Neverland (Peter Pan). Broadway: Hello, Dolly! (Ermengarde), Fiddler on the Roof (Chava), Finding Neverland (Peter Pan, Chita Rivera Award nomination). Off-Broadway: A Chorus Line (Judy), New York City Center Encores!, Cheek to Cheek, York Theater; Freddie Falls in Love, The Joyce. Tours: To Kill A Mockingbird (Scout, Helen Hayes Award nomination). Film & TV: In The Heights, “The Gilded Age” (Sally Drexel), “So You Think You Can Dance” (Season 8 Winner and Allstar), ABC’s “The Little Mermaid Live,” “Glee,” “Dancing with the Stars.”
Actors’ Equity Association member
Ensemble, Understudy for Nina
Ava Noble
Ensemble, Understudy for Nina
Ava Noble
(she/her) A.R.T.: Debut. Broadway: & Juliet. Off-Broadway: Blood/Love. Regional: Bring it On (Standby for Campbell and Eva), The Muny; In the Heights, Newsies, On Your Feet, John W. Engeman Theater. Workshops: Warriors, Black Swan, Blood/Love. Film & TV: “The Voice,” “The Tony Awards,” “Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade,” “The Middle,” “The GrammyAwards”. Commercials: Target, Marshall’s, Hasbro. Education: Dance BFA, The University of Southern California Glorya Kaufman School of Dance (‘23). Training: Alvin Ailey, Alonzo King LINES, Hubbard Street, Orsolina28, Jacob’s Pillow.
Actors’ Equity Association member
Ensemble
Martell Ruffin
Ensemble
Martell Ruffin
A.R.T.: Debut. Broadway: The Wiz. Tours: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, Second Company; A.I.M by Kyle Abraham; Eyes of One Another (Triptych). Regional: Champion, Grounded, Aida, Salome, Eugene Onegin, Metropolitan Opera. International: Holland Dance Festival, Sadler’s Wells Dance Festival, La Biennale Danza Festival. Developmental Work: Black Swan, Romeo + Juliet, An Untitled Love, Requiem. Educational Performance: USC, Princeton, Chicago Public Schools. Other Live Performance Media: Ailey II, A.I.M by Kyle Abraham, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Bounce: The Basketball Opera. Film & TV: Christian Dior Commercial; Urban Outfitters Music Video; Season 2 of “Zewi.” Awards: NAACP ACT-SO Gold Award. Education/Training: Joffrey Ballet Academy, (Mentored by Pierre Lockett & Lisa Johnson-Willingham); Chicago High School for the Arts; The Ailey School. Unions/Memberships: AGMA.
Actors’ Equity Association member
Doppel
Ida Saki
Doppel
Ida Saki
(she/her) A.R.T.: Debut. Broadway: Cabaret (Prologue), Bob Fosse’s Dancin’. Off-Broadway: Sleep No More (Lady M, Rehearsal Director), Only Gold, Lucky Ones. Film & TV: “Halston,” “Up Here” (Persephone), “Ziwe” (Associate Choreographer), In The Heights, Birds of Paradise (Associate Choreographer), CATS (Electra). Music Videos: Coldplay’s “Cry, Cry, Cry,” Lola Kirke’s “Win It.” Dance: Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet, You’ll Still Call Me By Name (Tayeh Dance). Education/Training: NYU Tisch.
Ensemble
Anthony Santos
Ensemble
Anthony Santos
(he/him) A.R.T.: Debut. Broadway: Buena Vista Social Club (Tony Award, Grammy Award). Tours: Hamilton, Wicked. Ballet: Dance Theatre of Harlem (With Virginia Johnson), New York City Ballet (Guest Artist), Miami City Ballet, Houston Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. Film & TV: Jennifer Hudson’s performance, “Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.”
Actors’ Equity Association member
Jacques/Rothbart
Thom Sesma
Jacques/Rothbart
Thom Sesma
Actors’ Equity Association member
Morgan/Ensemble
Sarah Sigman
Morgan/Ensemble
Sarah Sigman
A.R.T.: Debut. Broadway: MJ the Musical. National Tours: Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Chicago. Regional: On Your Feet!, The MUNY/KC Starlight; A Chorus Line, Cape Playhouse; R&H’s Cinderella, Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre. Developmental Work: CrazySexyCool: The TLC Musical, SMASH. Film & TV: “Law & Order: SVU.”
Actors’ Equity Association member
Ensemble, Understudy for Doppel
Chelsea Thedinga
Ensemble, Understudy for Doppel
Chelsea Thedinga
A.R.T.: Debut. Tours: Shaping Sound (directed by Travis Wall). Dance: You’ll Still Call Me By Name (created by Sonya Tayeh), New York Live Arts, Jacob’s Pillow; Rhythmic Identity, Peter Chu; It’s Time, Jenn Freeman; Freddie Falls in Love, Al Blackstone. Film & TV: In the Heights, Vox Lux, La La Land, IF, “Up Here,” “The Beauty,” “Glee,” “The Academy Awards,” “The Emmy Awards,” “The MTV Video Music Awards”. Music Videos: Ariana Grande’s “Yes, And?” (Assistant Choreographer).
Actors’ Equity Association member
Beth
Tory Trowbridge
Beth
Tory Trowbridge
(she/her) A.R.T.: Debut. Broadway/National Tour: The Cher Show, An American in Paris, Pippin. Film & TV: Fit for Murder, “S.W.A.T.,” “Tiny Pretty Things,” “The First Ladies,” “Law & Order: SVU.”
Actors’ Equity Association member
Ensemble, Understudy for Nina
Valeria Yamin
Ensemble, Understudy for Nina
Valeria Yamin
A.R.T.: Debut. Broadway: Just in Time, Moulin Rouge! The Musical. Dance: The Christmas Spectacular (Rockette, 2021–2024); NYFW 2025, Miista. Film & TV: “VMAs,” Olivia Rodrigo’s performance (2023); “VMAs,” Katy Perry/Doechii performance (2024); Lululemon Holiday Campaign; Google Pixel commercial; “Saturday Night Live.” Workshops: Boop!, Just in Time, Thoroughly Modern Millie. Education: Commercial Dance BFA, Pace University.
Actors’ Equity Association member
Understudies never substitute for listed players unless a specific announcement for the appearance is made at the time of the performance.
Musicians
Additional Staff
Access Staff
A.R.T. Staff
Terrie and Bradley Bloom Artistic Director
Diane Paulus
SENIOR STAFF
Director of Facilities and Capital Projects: Peter Atkinson
Public Relations Director: Rebecca Curtiss
General Manager: Connor Davis
Managing Director: Anna Fitzloff
Director of Finance: Julia Goldmacher
Senior Theater and Facilities Manager: Tracy Keene
Director of Artistic Programs & Dramaturg: Ryan McKittrick
Associate Artistic Director: Dayron J. Miles
Producer: Evan O’Brient
Chief Marketing Officer: Jennifer Weissman
STAFF
Artistic & EngagementArtistic Coordinator & Special Assistant to the Artistic Director: Karina Cowperthwaite ProducingAssociate Producer: Emma Watt Marketing & CommunicationsAssociate Director, Creative Services: Joel Zayac DevelopmentAssociate Director, Institutional Giving: Anna Cline FacilitiesAssistant Project Manager: Alex Giorgetti FinanceController: Toufiq Aitelfqih Patron ServicesHead of Patron Services: Emma Putnam |
ProductionProduction Manager: Skip Curtiss PaintCharge Scenic Artist: Gerard Vogt Stage OperationsStage Operations Manager: Kevin Belcher CostumesCostume Manager: Muriel Mangual-Bennett WardrobeWardrobe Manager: Alycia Marucci SoundSound Manager: Camilo Atehortua LightingLighting and Projections Supervisor: Matthew Adelman PropertiesProperties Manager: Erin Kehr Production OverhireScenic Carpenters: Steven Asaro, Izzy Demarco, Justyn Ferguson, Ivan Korn, Jack Riter, Eric Schapero |
Special Thanks
NYC Rehearsal: Everything Props, Teshale Nuer
Scenery: Daedalus Design & Production, PRG Scenic Technologies
Automated Scenery: by PRG Scenic Technologies
Special thanks to Manish Malhotra
Specialty Costume Items: Stuart Weitzman, Jennifer Behr, Givenchy, Lapointe, Amsale
Lighting and Additional Sound Equipment: PRG Scenic Technologies
Illusions Constructed by Jerard Studio, Monkey Boys Productions
Specialist Illusion Costumes by Aelish Fisher
Prosthetic Effects for Illusions: Jeremy Selenfriend, Brian Spears
Rehearsal Props: Everything Props
Rehearsed at New 42nd Street Studios
Additional Scenic Elements provided by Big Image Systems, Ne Neon Company, and Rose Brand
Scenic Technologies, and Prop & Paint Creative Studio
Chairs provided by Davidjohn Taravella at Calligaris SoHo
The creative team would like to thank Rachel Chavkin, Alaina Ferris, Esmé Avalla Ferris-Malloy, Amber Gray, Lena Hall, Jamie Kaye-Phillips, Dane Laffrey, Mark Subias, Rachel Viola
The actors and stage managers employed in this production are members of Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States.
The director and choreographer of this production are members of the STAGE DIRECTORS AND CHOREOGRAPHERS SOCIETY, a national theatrical labor union.
United Scenic Artists represents the designers and scenic painters for the American Theatre.
The musicians employed in this production are members of the American Federation of Musicians.
Musical Numbers
Act I
Prologue
Morning Class
Star
The Mirror
God and Beast
Flow
Gala Night
Swan Song
Swan Village
Ghosts
Something Bad with Beth
Rothbart
Roof’s Edge
Act II
The Trial
Far from the Flock
Cygnet
Scratch
Exile
Nothing
Nutcracker Nightmare
Shadow Dance
Village Dance
Death Dance
Finale
Explore
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JUN 16
Following the performance
Join us for a post-show discussion with Dr. Charmaine Jackman, Sophia Brion-Meisels, LICSW, and Valerie Abrigo Rivera, LMHC, about supporting mental and physical health and wellness within the world of dance. Free with a ticket to any performance.
JUN 16
Following the performance
Join us for a post-show discussion with Dr. Charmaine Jackman, Sophia Brion-Meisels, LICSW, and Valerie Abrigo Rivera, LMHC, about supporting mental and physical health and wellness within the world of dance. Free with a ticket to any performance.
